Cell-free Synthesis of Ethyl Hexanoate by Extract from Neurospora sp., Containing a Novel Acyl Coenzyme A: Alcohol Acyltransferase

Abstract

New acyl coenzyme A: alcohol acyltransferase activity was found in the cell-free extract of Neurospora sp. ATCC 46892 which produces ethyl hexanoate abundantly in its culture broth. This enzyme catalyzed the esterification between ethanol and n-hexanoyl coenzyme A. It also acted on n-butyryl coenzyme A, but not on acetyl coenzyme A. It was detected mostly in the cytoplasm. The activity was accelerated by high concentrations of sodium chloride, and unsaturated fatty acid did not inhibit it. This enzyme played a major role in biosynthesis of ethyl esters which were formed with ethanol and higher acyl coenzyme As. This is the first report of an alcohol acyltransferase which does not have alcohol acetyltransferase activity.